Member Reviews
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.
Unfortunately, this wasn’t for me and it’s a long stretch to compare it to Scream and Clueless. I loved the idea of it, but it fell flat. It’s campy with lots of representation so that’s fun. My biggest issue was that the book time skips over two months that would really be helpful for the reader to have experienced. We’re supposed to believe that Dearie had a deep relationship with Grover and that Grover ruined Cole’s life with accusations, but we don’t see any of it. And there’s so many other little things that didn’t add up. Additionally, there’s a whole lot of teenage sex without mention of any protection. Don’t love that.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital copy. All opinions are my own.
Adam Sass's "Your Lonely Nights Are Over" is a captivating and heartfelt novel that masterfully blends elements of romance, mystery, and personal growth into a story that is both uplifting and thought-provoking. With its unique premise, compelling characters, and a narrative that is as entertaining as it is meaningful, Sass delivers a novel that resonates deeply with the contemporary reader's quest for connection, understanding, and love.
From the outset, Sass weaves a tale that is rich in emotion and complexity. The novel introduces readers to characters that are immediately relatable, their struggles and desires painted with a depth that invites empathy and investment. Sass's protagonists are a testament to his ability to create multidimensional characters who reflect the diversity and challenges of modern life, making their journey not just a story to follow but an experience to be shared.
The narrative unfolds with a pace that is both engaging and deliberate, allowing readers to savor the nuances of the relationships and the unfolding mystery that drives the plot. Sass's writing shines in his ability to balance moments of light-hearted humor with profound insights into the human condition. His dialogue sparkles with authenticity, capturing the voices of his characters in a way that is both true-to-life and deeply compelling.
What sets "Your Lonely Nights Are Over" apart is Sass's exploration of themes such as loneliness, the search for belonging, and the transformative power of love. These themes are woven into the fabric of the story with a subtlety and strength that elevate the novel from mere entertainment to a powerful commentary on the importance of connection in the digital age.
Sass also deserves praise for his imaginative and thoughtful approach to the novel's mystery elements. The suspense and intrigue are skillfully crafted, driving the narrative forward while deepening the reader's engagement with the characters' personal growth and discoveries.
Visually, the settings and scenes are described with a vividness that transports the reader, further immersing them in the world Sass has created. His attention to detail and atmosphere contributes significantly to the overall impact of the story, making the settings almost characters in their own right.
4/5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an advanced copy for review.
In Your Lonely Nights Are Over, we flip back and forth between two POVs, those of best friends Cole and Dearie. Cole and Dearie don't get along with the rest of their school's Queer Club, so when someone starts sending threatening texts to the rest of the Queer Club, Cole and Dearie are the most obvious suspects. Unfortunately, the threat might be real, as one student ends up dead after receiving texts from a serial killer that last showed up decades before.
I'm already a fan of YA horror, but this book was particularly delightful. The friendships (and enemyships) are well drawn out, and the plot is tight and fun to follow. It all moves so quickly that I didn't even realize it was over 400 pages long. One of my favorite things about this book is the relationship between Cole and Dearie. We don't often see representations of the kind of friendship that these two have, and it's so realistic and messy.
This book was absolutely everything and I adored the characters, plot, tropes, and entire vibe of this novel.
Queer YA horror? Sign me up! Your Lonely NIghts are Over is a “fun” murder mystery that is entertaining while maintaining depth. The docuseries portions added layers to the story. Both POV were perfection and while I figured out the murder before the end, it was a thrilling ride.
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the ARC.
2/5
so I really do enjoy horror and a good mystery, but this story just felt really cringe at times. it felt like the writing was just trying really hard to be modern and ended up feeling really forced. the characters were also just really unlikable and it made me not feel invested in the storyline and friendships. the mystery was fun but something about this one was just not for me.
Absolutely loved this book from Adam Sass--so much so I dived right into his backlist. This is a fun YA Horror with a lot of tension and laughs. I love how solid the friendship between the two main characters is, even when things are going horribly wrong. (I'm struggling not to leave any spoilers here but it's hard because I just wanna talk about these characters!)
If you are a fan of teen horror movies, absolutely give this book a shot. If you are a person who produces teen horror movies and you're just reading reviews of books desperate to find your next big hit. also give this one a shot. PLEASE.
Your Lonely Nights Are Over was a well-paced slasher for teens. I liked the subject matter and believed the killer. The motivation is very clear. I guessed part of the reveal but not the whole thing. I liked both leads, and felt it was a nice spin on final girls.
I felt as if Sass walked in with many things he wanted to accomplish and strongly believe he did just that, for the most part.
I felt like the weapon could've been a little different even if I understood the metaphor for it.
A solid 4.5 stars.
I could not hang with this YA LGBTQ+ "thriller". There were too many characters in this, and it was not for me. I am a sucker for an LGBTQ+ story, but this one did not do it for me. I get the references to Scream, and that part was fun, but honestly this book just missed the mark for me. And I know I seem to be in the minority by saying that, but that's the honest truth.
"Scream meets Clueless" in Adam Sass's thrilling YA horror, where Dearie and Cole, inseparable and unfairly blamed for everything, find themselves in a sinister game as a serial killer targets their school's Queer Club. As they face suspicion and danger, their friendship is put to the test. The story unfolds through dual perspectives, giving us deep insights into their complex relationship and their differing views on the terrifying events. The suspense and paranoia keep you on edge, with unexpected twists that make you question everything. The characters, especially Dearie and Cole, are beautifully developed, and the intricate plot keeps you hooked. This unique blend of horror and friendship is a must-read that'll leave you craving more from Adam Sass.
I loved Surrender Your Sons, and so when I saw Adam was doing another horror - I didn't even check the synopsis, just requested it then and there.
This YA slasher kept me gripped all the way through. Overall a very spooky (with bits of tenderness and romance sprinkled in) time.
Theme: It took me a while to start reading this book but once I started, it was hard to put down. I was immersed in the story that whole time to the point that it was hard to read when I was working evening shifts on my own and having to walk home. I love a book that can put that amount of paranoia in you while also being intriguing so you have to solve the mystery.
I had started being suspicious of certain characters but thought it was too obvious for the author to have gone that route which is what made reading this story so much fun. I didn't find anything that happened to be predictable at all. It got to the point where I was even questioning if our protagonist might be behind the whole thing or one of their family members.
Characters: In this story you are introduced to several characters through their interactions with our main characters. There's the main characters, Dearie and Cole, several members of their Queer club, their parents/guardians, and then our main villian, Mr. Sandman.
I really enjoyed getting to know each of the characters, especially Dearie and Cole. I like how we slowly get to know more about them through their interactions with each other. I also like how complex the relationship with Dearie and Cole is and how this is only complicated more as they begin dating people seriously. I thought it was great to see those two remain best friends and that friendship never turned into anything more.
Writing Style: This book is told through dual point of views, going back and forth from Dearie and Cole's perspectives. I really liked that we got to see both of their perspectives especially towards the end of the book when the action picked up. I liked that we got to see how both of the main characters viewed others in their lives and how they each came to the conclusion about Mr. Sandman differently. I liked that we got to see how their lives were affected by this event drastically differently.
Something else that I liked about the way that this story was told was how we got to see the frustration that Cole had with others. I liked how seeing things through his perspective meant that you got to see his anger when he was accused but also how hurt he was by Dearie's actions.
Thank you so much, PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group, Viking Books for Young Readers and NetGalley, for the chance to read this book in exchange of an honest review.
Dearie and Cole are inseparable and have always been two against the world. Every time something bad happens these two gay teens BFFs are blamed. That's because they are beautiful and clever and flirtatious queen bees. But when a famous never- caught serial killer, Mr Sandman, starts to target their school's Queer Club, everything is turned upside down. Expecially when suspicions point at them and they have to start an investigation in order to unmask the real serial killer, save everyone else and themselves. That means face the serial killer, too.
Your lonely nights are over is a brilliant, fantastic and unique YA horror from the awesome Adam Sass and I love every single book they have written. This one isn't an exception. I love, LOVE these characters. I love Dearie and Cole and their relationships and how everything that goes wrong is blamed on them, poor kids!
I loved how Screams meets Clueless in this story and how perfect is this description, mixing two different genres and creating something so unique you can't not love it.
I was really invested in their investigation in their town's secret, trying to unmask the serial killer and protecting everyone else and themselves. It was so good and I loved every minute of it. Their bond is so precious and I really enjoyed this book!
A very enjoyable book, it's like scream joined the fear street movies but gay, something different to read if you are a fan of this genre.
a point in favor of the cover which is very striking.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for sending me a digital copy of this book.
Everyone is obsessed with the documentary show "Your Lonely Nights are Over", a cold case show about the "Sandman", a serial killer with a calling card and a vendetta against lonely people. When a couple of teens receive a "Sandman" text telling them that their lonely night will soon be over, they are thrown directly into a larger than life murder mystery. None of their friends are safe.
This book is a great peek into how we romanticize and get so enthralled with the idea of serial killings and murder mysteries, but the reality of it is all pretty brutal. There are SO MANY murders in this book, but it feels almost like a Knives Out type mystery where we are able to focus on the colorful cast of living characters (while also fearing for their lives).
This is a grand, queer, larger than life story. I enjoyed getting to know all of the characters, and I felt even more able to relate after reading the author's dedication at the beginning.
This book was written for you if:
1) You've ever listened to a true crime podcast or watched an unsolved mysteries documentary
2) You love a book with just a ton of queer rep
3) You are looking for a kind of escapist version of a murder mystery because this many murders would've put all these teens into witness protection so quickly
Thanks for the free book! @penguinteen @theadamsass @coloredpagesbt
Tour @coloredpagesbt
Rating 4 stars
Whew I’m a little late on my review anyway this book put me in the mind of Scream like not the new one but the old scream… and I must say it was a pretty interesting read and I’m glad that I had something to hold me over until I got to feeling better… First read by this author but I’m excited to read another…
A great queer slasher that focuses on friendships. Violent and cutting with commentary on race and the rampant homophobia and queer hate that permeates our society.
I think this was such a fun read. I would love to find more books like this. YA slashers are slowly becoming more popular but I want more! I love the queer characters as well and it actually related to the story. Adam Sass is an author that I will continue to keep and eye on.
Perfect for fans of campy horror like Scream! This follows two queer best friends who I absolutely adored. They felt very real, sometimes cringey sometimes flawed, but this added to the vibes of the book. There was a big cast that I either loved or loved to hate as well as a great setting overall!